Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Et tu, sugar?

It's 9:30 in the morning, and my stomach hurts. A lot. I know what the problem is, and it makes me sooooo sad. I can't eat sugar like I used to.

I'm not diabetic or hypoglycemic. I had a physical a few months ago and my blood sugar was just fine. But when I eat Cocoa Pebbles for breakfast, or I have a little too much sugar in my coffee, or I have too big a piece of cake at my sister's graduation party, I feel queasy and my mouth feels greasy. This is rough for someone who answers the question, "If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?" with, "Ice cream."

I think cutting down on processed foods is really going to help with this. Most of the stuff you buy prepackaged in the store has a ton of added sugar, and if I make something myself, I don't really add much sugar to anything. I can't help but be sad, though. I miss being able to eat a bag of M&M's without a problem, or eating a big piece of cake with buttercream frosting and a scoop of ice cream on the side. This transition's going to be difficult, I can tell already.

Friday, December 9, 2011

It's not January 1st yet

Yes, this blog is called Three Resolutions, and I fully intend to start these resolutions ON January 1st. But I know one flaw in many of my failed past resolutions: I didn't plan ahead. I said, "I'm going to lose 30 pounds," but I never thought about how. And sure enough, by January 5th, I've given up because I can't figure out how to tackle it and it's all so sudden.

This is all about psyching myself up. I can eat healthier, stick to a budget and be more organized. For the rest of this month, I'll talk a little bit about how I'm getting myself ready for these big changes, because they are definitely big.

Why this blog exists

Hi, my name is Shannon. I am 29, I've been married for 6 years, and I have a beautiful 2-year-old son. Like a lot of other people right now, my life is currently in a state of flux. I have been trying to get my shit together for a number of reasons:
- I am going to be 30 in 2012. Anyone over 35 is probably thinking I am blowing that out of proportion, but clearly early onset dementia has set in, because turning 30 is seriously mind-blowing and depressing at the same time, and I know I'm not the only person who feels that way.
- I am still trying to lose my baby weight. Some don't think it's fair to call it baby weight when your baby is old enough to walk, talk and demand a Curious George DVD for the fourth time this afternoon, but here we are, so screw you and pass the cookie dough.
- My husband, The Most Incredible Man in the World, was diagnosed two years ago with Multiple Sclerosis. It's important for him to eat better, lose weight and take care of himself. I want to support him as much as I can.
- I love to shop, whether it's for toys, clothes, stuff for the house or groceries. However, we are now down to one income thanks to the economy, so that's gonna have to stop.
- I am starting an internship as a lactation consultant this winter. I am extremely excited about it, but balancing the work experience with family life and time for myself is going to be difficult, especially since it's been a year and a half since I was last employed, so I am seriously not used to that anymore.

So, after reflecting on all that good stuff, I realized I want to make three resolutions for 2012: 1) eat a healthier diet, focusing on less processed foods; 2) sticking to a budget; and 3) keeping my environment, my paperwork and my thoughts more organized. These aren't really special resolutions. People make them year after year. But it means a lot to me right now to change my life for the better, and so I am starting Three Resolutions to keep myself accountable. I know that probably a handful of my friends and family members will read this, but I am hoping that blogging about my resolutions will, if nothing else, shame me into keeping them. I'd also like to make this a supportive place for others with the same goals to visit. Instead of tearing down your choices (like so many other lifestyle blogs I've visited do), I want to encourage you to go for what you want. Are you thinking you're getting old for Crunch Berries for breakfast? Are you afraid to open up your credit card statement every month? Do you purposely find excuses to stay away from home because you don't want to sit in the mess? Let's get through it together.